Translation and Meaning of: 境 - sakai

The Japanese word 境[さかい] carries deep meanings and varied uses in daily life in Japan. If you are learning Japanese or are simply interested in the culture of the country, understanding the meaning and application of this expression can open doors to new interpretations. In this article, we will explore everything from the basic meaning to curiosities about how it appears in cultural and linguistic contexts.

In addition to being a useful term for students, 境[さかい] also has relevance in philosophical and social discussions in Japan. We will see how this word is used in different situations, from everyday conversations to more formal expressions. If you have ever wondered about its origin or the best way to memorize it, keep reading to find out.

Meaning and usage of 境[さかい]

In its essence, 境[さかい] means "boundary," "limit," or "dividing line." It can refer to both physical barriers, such as between countries or regions, as well as abstract concepts, such as moments of transition in life. For example, the expression 境目[さかいめ] (derived from 境) describes the line that separates two things, whether it’s a river between cities or the change from one phase to another.

In everyday life, the Japanese use this word to talk about situations where there is a clear distinction between two states. A practical example is the phrase 「人生の境に立つ」, which means "to be at a turning point in life." This type of use shows how the term is linked to decisive moments, reinforcing its importance in both language and culture.

Origin and writing of the kanji 境

The kanji 境 is composed of the radical 土 (earth) and the component 竟, which suggests the idea of conclusion or limit. This combination is not accidental: it reinforces the notion of division between spaces or concepts. Etymological studies indicate that the character originated in ancient China and was incorporated into Japanese with a meaning similar to the original.

It is worth noting that 境 is not one of the most common kanjis in daily life, but it appears in important words like 境界[きょうかい] (boundary) and 環境[かんきょう] (environment). If you are learning Japanese, recognizing this kanji in compounds can help expand your vocabulary significantly.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to fix 境[さかい] is to associate it with images of concrete divisions, such as maps with lines demarcating territories. Another strategy is to remember its presence in terms like 境内[けいだい], which refers to the grounds of a Shinto shrine— a defined space with religious significance.

Interestingly, this word also carries a philosophical weight in Japan. It appears in discussions about 幽玄[ゆうげん], an aesthetic concept that values mystery and the boundaries between the visible and the invisible. This type of use shows how the Japanese language connects everyday terms to deeper reflections.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 界 (kai) - world, sphere; the concept of a defined area.
• 限界 (genkai) - limit, restriction; refers to the maximum achievable in any context.
• 範囲 (han'i) - scope; refers to an area of influence or effect.
• 縁 (en) - bond, connection; implying a special relationship or tie.
• 境界 (kyōkai) - border, limit; the line that separates two territories or states.
• 境地 (kyōchi) - state or condition; refers to a mental or psychological state associated with a limit.
• 境遇 (kyōgu) - circumstances; the conditions or situations that surround a person.
• 境目 (sakaime) - division, boundary; a line or point of demarcation between two areas.
• 境界線 (kyōkaisenn) - border line; the line that delineates the borders of two territories.
• 境界面 (kyōkaimen) - boundary surface; refers to the surface where two areas meet.
• 境内 (keidai) - temple area; refers to the area within the space of a temple.
• 境外 (keigai) - outside the area; indicates the region beyond the border or limit of a specific space.
• 境界部分 (kyōkaibubun) - part of the border; refers to a specific section of a boundary line.
• 境界点 (kyōkaiten) - boundary point; a specific point that marks the boundary between two areas.
• 境域 (kyōiki) - zone or area; refers to a region defined by boundaries.
• 境地面 (kyōchimen) - state surface; the area where certain conditions or states meet.
• 境目線 (sakaimisen) - boundary line; refers to the visual line that divides two areas.
• 境目面 (sakaimesen) - demarcation surface; it refers to the surface that separates two circumscriptions.
• 境目部分 (sakaibubun) - demarcation part; a specific section that marks the separation between areas.
• 境目点 (sakaimeten) - boundary point; a specific point that indicates the separation between areas.
• 境目域 (sakaimidai) - demarcation zone; an area that designates or defines boundaries.
• 境目地 (sakaimichi) - place of demarcation; refers to the exact location of separation between areas.
• 境目遇 (sakaimou) - meeting of limits; refers to the point where two areas meet.
• 境目界 (sakaikakai) - demarcation border; refers to the boundary between two separated areas.
• 境目範囲 (sakaimihan'i) - demarcation scope; the extent or area defined by boundaries.
• 境目縁 (sakaien) - limitation connection; implies a relationship between limits and their connections.
• 境目限界 (sakaigenkai) - limit of demarcation; the maximum point of separation between areas.
• 境目界線 (sakaikaisen) - boundary line; the physical line that separates two areas.
• 境目界面 (sakaikaimen) - demarcation surface; refers to the surface that represents the separation.
• 境目内 (sakaiminai) - within the limit; refers to the internal area of a demarcation.
• 境目外 (sakaimigai) - out of bounds; represents everything that is beyond the demarcation.
• 境目界部分 (sakaikakubun) - part of the demarcation line; a specific section of the line that divides areas.

境

Romaji: sakai
Kana: さかい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: border; limit; state

Meaning in English: border;boundary;mental state

Definition: Borders

Example Sentences - (境) sakai

See below some example sentences:

削減は環境保護のために重要です。

Sakugen wa kankyō hogo no tame ni jūyō desu

Reduction is important for environmental protection.

The reduction is important for environmental protection.

• 削減 - reduction
• は - Topic particle
• 環境保護 - environmental protection
• のために - for
• 重要 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

化繊は環境に悪影響を与える可能性がある。

Kasen wa kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga aru

Synthetic fibers may have an adverse effect on the environment.

• 化繊 - abbreviation of "chemical fiber", refers to synthetic fabrics produced from chemical products.
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "化繊".
• 環境 - environment, environment.
• に - location particle, indicates that the negative impact is "in" the environment.
• 悪影響 - negative effect, harmful impact.
• を - direct object particle, indicates that the object of the action is "可能性 of having a negative impact on the environment".
• 与える - to cause, to have an effect on.
• 可能性 - possibility, probability.
• が - subject particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "可能性がある".
• ある - to exist, to have.

国境を越える旅がしたいです。

Kokkyō wo koeru tabi ga shitai desu

I want to take a trip crossing the border.

I want to travel the border.

• 国境 - country border
• を - object particle
• 越える - cross, overtake
• 旅 - trip
• が - subject particle
• したい - to want to do
• です - be (polite form)

放射能は環境に悪影響を与える可能性があります。

Hōshanō wa kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu

Radioactivity can have an adverse effect on the environment.

• 放射能 - Radiation
• は - Topic marking particle
• 環境 - environment
• に - Destination marking particle
• 悪影響 - negative effect
• を - object marker particle
• 与える - cause
• 可能性 - possibility
• が - subject marking particle
• あります - exists

新入生は新しい環境に慣れるのに時間がかかることがあります。

Shinnyūsei wa atarashii kankyō ni nareru no ni jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

New students can take time to get used to a new environment.

• 新入生 - "new students"
• は - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "new students".
• 新しい - means "new" in Japanese.
• 環境 - It means "environment" in Japanese.
• に - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to" the new environment.
• 慣れる - It means "to get used to" in Japanese.
• のに - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates a condition or a reason, in this case "to" get used to the new environment.
• 時間 - "tempo" means "time" in Japanese.
• がかかる - it's a Japanese expression that means "to take time" or "to be necessary time".
• こと - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates an action or an event, in this case "to take time".
• あります - It is a polite way to say "there is" or "there are" in Japanese.

清潔な環境は健康につながる。

Seiketsu na kankyou wa kenkou ni tsunagaru

A clean environment leads to health.

• 清潔な - adjective that means "clean"
• 環境 - noun that means "environment"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 健康 - noun that means "health"
• に - particle that indicates the relationship between the subject and the verb
• つながる - verb that means "to be connected" or "to be related"

私は新しい環境でまごつくことがあります。

Watashi wa atarashii kankyō de magotsuku koto ga arimasu

I get confused in new environments.

I can get rid of it in a new environment.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 新しい - 新しい (atarashii)
• 環境 - Japanese noun that means "environment"
• で - particle that indicates the location where the action takes place
• まごつく - Japanese verb that means "to become confused."
• こと - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります - Japanese verb that means "to exist"

私は新しい環境に慣れるのに時間がかかります。

Watashi wa atarashii kankyō ni nareru no ni jikan ga kakarimasu

It takes time to get used to a new environment.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 新しい - 新しい (atarashii)
• 環境 - Japanese noun that means "environment"
• に - Japanese particle that indicates action towards something or a place.
• 慣れる - Japanese verb that means "to get used to"
• のに - Japanese particle that indicates the purpose or objective of an action.
• 時間 - Japanese noun that means "time"
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• かかります - Japanese verb meaning "to take time."

私の境遇は良くないです。

Watashi no kyōguu wa yokunai desu

My situation is not good.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 境遇 - Noun meaning "situation" or "condition" in Japanese.
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 良くない - adjective meaning "bad" or "not good" in Japanese
• です - linking verb that indicates formality and courtesy in the Japanese language

逆境に立ち向かうことが人生の成長につながる。

Gyakkyou ni tachimukau koto ga jinsei no seichou ni tsunagaru

Facing adversity leads to growth in life.

Confident adversities lead to the growth of life.

• 逆境 (gyakkyou) - adversity
• に (ni) - particle indicating destination or location
• 立ち向かう (tachimukau) - confront, resist
• こと (koto) - abstract noun, indicating action or event
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 人生 (jinsei) - life
• の (no) - partítulo indicando posse ou relação
• 成長 (seichou) - growth, development
• につながる (ni tsunagaru) - lead to, result in